Premier Listings for Beachcombing
Relax and contemplate life as you follow snail tracks along sandy beaches and chase cheeky crabs into rocky crevices. Search through seaweed and barnacled driftwood and hunt amongst stranded tree trunks for those precious little treasures the sea so generously yields at every ebb of the tide.
Mussels, periwinkles, clams and hermit crabs, they’re all there – you just have to find them!
Rich tidal pools, a shoreline full of life, and fantastic geological features attract visitors to Botanical Beach, northwest of Victoria, one of the most amazing places on the entire West Coast, particularly at low tide.
You can spend days walking the sandy beaches along Long Beach, between Ucluelet and Tofino, and the beaches on the east coast of Vancouver Island offer fabulous expanses of firm white sand that stretch for miles at low tide.
Treasure Spots:
The best known and most visited of the 3 regions of Pacific Rim National Park is Long Beach, famous for the long sandy beaches of Schooner Cove and Wickaninnish and Florencia Bays, stretching between the two villages of Tofino and Ucluelet.
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park offers scenic beauty, spectacular hiking, marine and wildlife viewing, and roaring surf along the Pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Without a doubt, Sidney Spit Marine Park boasts the finest beaches of all parks in the Victoria region of Vancouver Island. One of the main attractions of the park is the famous sandbar, the Sidney Spit .
Today, Pender Islands, with a balmy sub-Mediterranean climate, seven parks and over 20 clearly marked public beach accesses, these friendly rural islands are fabulous for family vacations, romantic escapes, seminars and retreats.
The warm ocean water and sandy beach makes Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park a family camping favourite. At low tide, almost a kilometre of sandy flats are exposed, perfect for beachcombing. When the tide rolls in over the sun-baked sand, the warmed water is unbeatable for swimming.
Located on Hornby Island, the 95-hectare Tribune Bay Provincial Park is known for its beautiful white sandy beach and unusual rocky shoreline formations.
While anytime is ideal for dipping your toes in the ocean, the broad safe sandy beach at Miracle Beach Provincial Park is perfect for sandcastle building or studying the marine life of tidal pools.
Rebecca Spit Provincial Park – sandy beaches line both sides of the narrow spit at sheltered Drew Harbour, backed by open uplands interspersed with stands of mostly second-growth trees, shrubs and grasses.
Treasure Tips:
- Available year-round
- Low tide is best – check newspapers for low tide times
- Collecting is prohibited in parks
- Protect the fragile ecosystems and their tiny inhabitants
- Replace organisms and rocks as you found them
- Beachcombing Tours available
Premier Listings
Biographical Info
Poets Cove Resort & Marina is the premier luxury resort in the Southern Gulf Islands, hidden away in a secluded bay on Pender Island, offering 15 cottages, 9 villas, and a lodge with 22 rooms looking west toward ocean sunsets. Amenities include a stunning ballroom, an elegant restaurant, world-class spa, heated pools, and a Marina.
Pamper yourself with a specialty treatment at our onsite Susurrus Spa and soothe body, mind and soul in the Eucalyptus Steam Cave. Savour fine dining cuisine and captivating ocean views in one of our distinctive restaurants. Enjoy outdoor activities on the sparkling water from our private marina, soak in our outdoor swimming pools (two), or simply relax in your private cottage villa or lodge accommodations for a rejuvenating West Coast Island experience.
Poets Cove is the perfect escape, offering a luxury boutique retreat framed by charming Arts & Crafts architecture, lush gardens and breathtaking ocean views. Just a short ferry, boat or seaplane ride away from Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle, our small island oasis set in the secluded Bedwell Harbour bay feels a million miles away.
Biographical Info
The charming and cozy Reef Point Cottages are located in Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island offering an exciting, intimate and self-indulging experience for those who want to explore British Columbia’s most spectacular and natural landscape. Our accommodations include view and waterfront cottages with various sizes from studio to two bedrooms.
Biographical Info
A consistently top-ranked Tofino hotel on TripAdvisor, this family and dog-friendly resort offers beachfront and ocean view accommodations ranging from 520 to 1400 square feet and is the only resort in Tofino with fully-equipped kitchens.
Located steps from spectacular Cox Bay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the resort sits on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park, a short scenic drive from Long Beach as well as the charming, seaside village of Tofino – famous for local culture and artisans. From year-round adventures including infamous storm watching, to make-yourself-at-home resort services and hospitality, experience Pacific Sands Beach Resort – the perfect convergence of land, sea and simple pleasures.
More at http://www.PacificSands.com
Biographical Info
It’s all in the name, Beach Acres Resort … miles of warm sandy beach, ocean and mountain views, acres of lush forest, and a range of resort accommodations to delight your family and friends. Our family-friendly, beachfront accommodations offer private self-contained cottages, spacious townhouses – all with two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens and fireplaces – and majestic ocean views from every window.
Situated on 23 acres of forested property bordered by Rathtrevor Beach’s sandy seashore, we offer the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, waterfront, forest, and private accommodation … the perfect place for a relaxing vacation retreat or romantic Vancouver Island getaway. The perfect “kid-free” getaway awaits in a cozy little cottage … right on the beach.
Biographical Info
A Retreat to Remember. Outer Island Guest Farm is an Agri-Villa set on 14 acres of farmland on Hornby Island, offering warm hospitality and a taste of country living. The beautiful ranch-style homestead, with swimming pool, tennis court, and orchard, provides a tranquil atmosphere to relax, rejuvenate and see agricultural living first-hand. Self-catering or B&B accommodations available. Specializing in all-inclusive retreat packages.
Biographical Info
Mills Landing is a private oceanfront cottage resort located on the edge of Barkley Sound. Our cedar cottages are fully self-contained and very comfortable. Mills Landing offers accommodation, moorage, fishing charters, whale watching, nature adventures, and marine tours of the Broken Group Islands near Bamfield. Perfect for anglers wanting access to the best fishing on Vancouver Island, and for those looking to get away from it all.
Biographical Info
Jason Priestley and family invite you to visit our secluded beachfront cabins in Ucluelet, nestled between the two main sections of Pacific Rim National Park – the Broken Group Islands to the south and Long Beach and Tofino to the north. Pet friendly Terrace Beach Resort connects to The Wild Pacific Trail. Outdoor hot tubs on the decks of several units.
Biographical Info
The Heriot Bay Inn is Quadra Island’s adventure resort. Adventure: Kayak, whale or grizzly watch. Dine: Casual seaside fare in Herons, HBI Pub with live music Fridays. Stay: accommodations range from hotel rooms to ocean-view housekeeping cottages. Also onsite: marina, RV & tent campsites with full service hook-ups, wireless internet.
Biographical Info
Enjoy a private beachfront cabin nestled in the clutches of a Pacific Rim rainforest, on the edge of the Wild Pacific Trail, where rugged shoreline meets the ferocious Pacific Ocean. Nature is everywhere, from huge expanses of sandy beaches, to intricate marine life in tidepools and giant cedars, hemlocks, and spruces. Located in Ucluelet at Terrace Beach, The Cabins is pet friendly.
Biographical Info
The Wickaninnish Inn is an enchanting and critically acclaimed landmark offering rustic elegance on nature’s edge. From remote fishing to sunset beach walks, your luxurious custom getaway is our priority, and no trip to BC would be complete without experiencing this remarkable Tofino destination. The Wickaninnish Inn offers accommodation with direct beach access, 75 deluxe rooms, and panoramic ocean or beach views from every guest room.
Biographical Info
Set among award-winning gardens in a quiet, residential area of Sidney-By-The-Sea, The Cedarwood provides waterfront accommodation with a difference. We are close to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens and within walking distance to the San Juan Islands ferries. Enjoy spectacular views of the ocean, Olympic Mountains and Mount Baker. Just five blocks away, there are restaurants, cafés, banks, shops and grocery stores.
Cedarwood also boasts the unique Lasqueti Island Cottages, located on the Sidney property. These four log cabins were the original units at The Cedarwood in Sidney in 1949! Guests will enjoy the patina of naturally aged wood interiors and the views across our raised gardens to the ocean. The cottages have two TVs, an updated bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen, and one bedroom featuring a king-sized bed, with a queen-sized sofa bed in the living room.
